by Tom Pelissero, USA TODAY Sports, USATODAY

by Tom Pelissero, USA TODAY Sports, USATODAY

Richie Incognito is back on the Miami Dolphins' payroll. Whether he plays for them again still remains to be seen.

Incognito agreed to delay his expedited grievance hearing last week after cutting a deal that cut his financial loss to a maximum of two game checks, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports on Friday night.

In exchange, Incognito agreed to let his suspension last up to six weeks, rather than the maximum four afforded under the collective-bargaining agreement, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak on the agreement.

That delays the Dolphins' decision on Incognito's future from Tuesday, Dec. 2 to Dec. 16, allowing attorney Ted Wells time to complete his NFL-backed investigation of issues of workplace safety with the team.

Incognito was suspended and Dolphins owner Stephen Ross asked the league for help after representatives for tackle Jonathan Martin turned over evidence Nov. 3 over alleged abuse of Martin by Incognito and others.

Hired by the NFL to conduct what it called an "independent" investigation, Wells released a statement through his law firm last weekend thanking the Dolphins for their cooperation with the investigation and saying he'd need a few more weeks to complete his work.

A person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports the NFLPA is conducting its own investigation.